Tag Archives: organisers

News

MG, BYD and Renault headline smaller 2024 Geneva motor present

The organisers of the Geneva motor show have revealed a full checklist of exhibitors for the 2024 version, which is able to kick off on the finish of subsequent month in a a lot smaller and extra public-focused format than in earlier years. 

Renault, Dacia, MG, BYD and Lucid would be the solely mainstream automobile producers on the present, which returns in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, however a number of well-known lower-volume manufacturers – together with Kimera, Microlino, Silence and Totem Automobili – characteristic within the full checklist of 29 exhibitors, in addition to business automobile agency Isuzu. 

Confirmed new automobile reveals up to now embody the Renault 5, MG 3 and a brand new mannequin from Microlino. The winner of the 2024 European Car of the Year award can even be introduced.

The 2024 working of the Geneva motor present can be extra overtly aimed on the public than in earlier years, with the introduction of 4 new ‘experiential’ zones designed to showcase the overarching theme of the present: ‘Auto. Future. Now’.

There is an Adrenaline Zone devoted to high-performance automobiles and motorsport, whereas the Design District will host exhibitions from Pininfarina and storied designer Frank Stephenson, the Mobility Lab will showcase completely different types of private and shared transport, and the Next World space has been designed in partnership with Polyphony Digital to offer a imaginative and prescient of ‘the way forward for automotive’.

As a part of that exhibition, Polyphony will show a variety of GT Vision ideas designed by automobile makers for its Gran Turismo racing video games. 

Show boss Sandro Mesquita advised Autocar this push for “bespoke content for the public” is designed to assist present goers “decode the theme of Auto Future Now”.

He mentioned the completely different present zones will evolve 12 months by 12 months in accordance with rising themes and applied sciences, however “the brands will stay the stars of the show”.

Organisers purpose to promote 200,000 tickets for this 12 months’s occasion, which runs from 26 February till 3 March. Dates for the 2025 working can be confirmed on the finish of this 12 months’s occasion. 

The Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) goals to “increase the number of brands that are present” in following years, mentioned president of the organisation Alexandre de Senarclens, acknowledging the absence in 2024 of all Stellantis, VW Group and Hyundai Motor Group manufacturers, amongst others.  

“We want to be back as the main international motor show in the world,” he mentioned. “We had a vital place in that business earlier than, and we need to regain that.

“We are convinced that we have an important role to play in the revolution of the motor industry, so the idea is to convince not only the public but also all the other brands that will not participate in 2024.”

BMW

Drive to Glory: Opening of the 44th Ryder Cup with Worldwide Partner BMW.

The 44th Ryder Cup is set to begin with an emotional opening ceremony in Rome. BMW, the Worldwide Partner, will provide an all-electric vehicle fleet for the teams and organizers. In addition, BMW will offer a unique brand experience for customers and fans. The first tee will have the “best seats in the house” for spectators, and exclusive live broadcasts will be available in the new BMW 7 Series and other models.

The opening tee off will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, in front of an impressive grandstand. With tens of thousands of fans in attendance, the best golfers from host Europe and defending champions USA will compete in match play over three days. The Ryder Cup is not about prize money, but about achieving glory and honor for their respective continents.

At the opening ceremony, the unique emotions associated with the Ryder Cup were palpable, and the excitement for the 28 matches (four Foursomes and four Fourballs on both Friday and Saturday, twelve singles matches on Sunday) is immeasurable. BMW aims to transport the fascination of this renowned sporting event to customers, fans, and visitors using its vehicles, both in Rome and globally.

To support the smooth running of the Ryder Cup, BMW has provided a fleet of 120 all-electric vehicles, ensuring zero emissions transportation for the golf and organizational teams. Sustainability and electromobility are emphasized in the Ryder Cup Village and other areas on the event site, showcasing vehicles such as the new BMW i5, BMW i7, and BMW iX. Fans can also enjoy various activities in the BMW Fan Zone.

For an exceptional experience, spectators will have the opportunity to sit in the luxurious seats of the BMW i7 located at the first tee. Six seats have been installed in the stand, which will be allocated to fans on-site. There is also a chance for those without tickets to secure one of the six “best seats in the house” and enjoy the unparalleled comfort of the BMW i7 while experiencing the grandeur of the event.

For BMW customers unable to attend the Ryder Cup in person, they can still immerse themselves in the sporting drama and electrifying atmosphere that the event is renowned for worldwide. For the first time in Ryder Cup history, live broadcasts will be available in cars, enabling customers to follow every shot in a wide range of BMW models. Additionally, extensive on-demand content will be available for streaming.

Customers of the new BMW 7 Series can enjoy the feeling of being right on the fairways and greens. The Ryder Cup in-car app allows second-row passengers to watch the event on the BMW Theatre Screen, a 31-inch panorama display with 8K resolution in 32:9 format. This transforms the back of the new BMW 7 Series into an exclusive private cinema experience on wheels. The on-board 5G-enabled antenna system ensures optimal streaming speeds. While stationary, the front-row BMW Curved Display can also be used to view all the content. However, playing premium sports content is restricted for safety reasons while driving.

The live broadcasts and streaming of the Ryder Cup will be available in numerous countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, and many others.

The BMW models that will support the live broadcasts are the BMW 7 Series (G70), BMW iX (produced after 03/23), BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7 (after 04/23), and BMW XM (after 08/23).

News

Extreme E to Introduce Hydrogen-Powered Off-Road Race Series in 2025

Extreme E organizers have announced the launch of a new hydrogen-powered category, called Extreme H, in 2025. This will mark the first time a FIA world championship will use hydrogen as a fuel source. The Extreme H category will feature the same off-road SUV-styled buggies as the current Extreme E series, but with an electric powertrain replaced by a hydrogen version, possibly employing a hydrogen fuel cell system.

Alejandro Agag, founder of Extreme E, has previously expressed plans to run Extreme H alongside Extreme E, following the same format. Both series will hold events on off-road courses in extreme locations impacted by climate change. Each team consists of a female and male driver who switch mid-race.

Extreme E has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the FIA to establish Extreme H as an official FIA championship by 2025. At the same time, Extreme E itself will gain official FIA recognition, becoming an officially recognized series. Once specific criteria are met, Extreme H will become an official FIA world championship starting from 2026. Only seven series, including the electric Formula E world championship, hold this prestigious title.

Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag has expressed his excitement about this development, stating, “This announcement is a significant first step in the development of our championship and our ground-breaking transition to hydrogen-powered racing. Sport is the most powerful and effective platform to drive innovation, and our commitment to delivering sustainable motorsport championships, full of excitement and with a reduced carbon footprint, is testament to that.”

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also voiced his support, emphasizing the FIA’s goal of utilizing sustainable power sources in motorsport. He stated, “Using sustainable power sources in motorsport is the key objective of the FIA and part of our long-term strategy, and this series is an ideal showcase for that. Hydrogen is an important part of that mix, and we have developed a set of safety regulations for hydrogen-powered vehicles, which is part of the FIA’s International Sporting Code.”

The new Extreme H category will be able to leverage the existing infrastructure at Extreme E events. Typically, electricity to power the cars is generated on site using solar panels, with the energy then converted into hydrogen and utilized to power electricity generators.

News

Goodwood Festival of Speed Sunday to Proceed After Saturday Cancellation

The final day of the Goodwood Festival of Speed will go ahead on Sunday, according to event organizers. This decision comes after the cancellation of Saturday’s events due to a weather warning for high winds, which marks the first time in the event’s history that a day has been canceled.

In a statement, the Festival of Speed organizers confirmed that “the event is going ahead as planned”. However, they emphasized that only spectators with Sunday tickets should attend. The event is completely sold out for Sunday, and Saturday ticket holders will not be granted entry.

For Sunday, the forecast currently predicts sunny intervals with a slight chance of rain and a “fresh breeze”.

Reasons for the Saturday Cancellation

Event organizers officially notified ticket holders, manufacturers, and exhibitors late on Friday evening about the decision to cancel Saturday’s events. This decision was made in response to a severe weather warning from the Met Office, forecasting high winds with gusts of up to 50mph. The Goodwood Festival of Speed venue includes wooded areas as well as multiple temporary structures.

A statement on the Festival of Speed website explained the cancellation: “It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision that the Goodwood Festival of Speed will not go ahead today (Saturday 15 July 2023). After consulting meteorologists, health and safety experts, and other key stakeholders, we have decided to close the event site due to a severe wind warning in the Goodwood area.

“On-site safety is our highest priority, and the projected high winds would pose a serious risk to various temporary structures across the site. We kindly ask that you do not travel to Goodwood or attempt to access the site.

“This decision was not made lightly, and His Grace, The Duke of Richmond, along with the entire Festival of Speed team, deeply regrets that we will not be running the event on Saturday for the first time in its 30-year history.”

Exhibitors were instructed to secure their stands in preparation for the site shutdown from 11am. Festivalgoers staying at the campsite were allowed to remain but were advised to exercise extreme caution due to the conditions.

The organizers anticipated that the winds would ease by the evening, and the annual Goodwood Ball, which marks the festival’s 30th anniversary this year, proceeded as planned.

Saturday ticket holders will receive refunds in the coming days.

Poor weather conditions persisted at the Sussex event on Friday, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled Red Arrows display and heavy rain throughout the afternoon. As a result, there were some delays for drivers leaving the event’s car parks.